Page 37 of Step Daddy

Gareth grinned back. “Then come on, baby boy.”

Gareth gathered up Kit’s hand in his own and led him to the guest room where Kit had been sleeping. A flash of hope ran through Kit, the hope that Gareth might want them to share a bed now that things were different. But that would mean sex—not that Kit had a problem with that. However, Gareth’s insistence that they have a talk first weighed on Kit’s mind.

Once they entered the bedroom, Gareth directed Kit to the bed then encouraged him to sit on the end. He petted Kit’s hair back, gazing at Kit through eyes that seemed filled with wonder. Gareth began carding his fingers through Kit’s hair the same way he’d seen the Master do at the club. Kit let out a satisfied sigh.

Gareth smiled. “Are the sweats I lent you in the dresser?”

Kit nodded, afraid to speak in case he broke the spell. Part of him still feared that Gareth would change his mind, that he’d decide they shouldn’t be together after all. That what they were doing was wrong.

Gareth leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of Kit’s head then retrieved the seats and a tee. He laid them on the bed next to Kit, his free hand trailing down Kit’s arm as he did. Kit shivered from the light touch.

“Let me know if it’s too cool in here. I can turn down the thermostat or put it on the fan setting instead.”

“I will. But I’m fine.”

But the moment Gareth reached for the leather strip still encircling Kit’s neck, he wasn’t fine. Once again, he grabbed Gareth’s wrists to prevent him from removing the makeshift collar.

“Kit,” said Gareth softly. “Let me take it off for now.”

Kit swallowed hard then peered up at Gareth. “Why?”

A part of Kit knew why. He understood enough about BDSM to know that collars were akin to an engagement or wedding ring when two people were in a committed relationship. His logical self understood he was being unfair to Gareth, that he was asking him to make the promise Kit had already told himself they weren’t ready for.

“You know why, baby. It’s too soon.” Gareth brushed his knuckles down Kit’s cheek. “If I give you a collar to wear all the time, it’ll be because we both know this is what we want, that we’re making a promise to each other that we’re in this for good. Before that can happen, we need to discover if this is the lifestyle for you as well as whether I’m the one for you.” Gareth gave him a warm smile. “We’ve barely spent any time together, still know very little about each other.”

Gareth was right, of course. Yet, Kit already sensed they were on the edge of something important, something real. His gut clenched. However, Gareth had to feel that way too. He’d probably already been down this road before with other boys and been disappointed. So, even though Kit wanted to charge ahead, he’d do his best to be patient.

Listen to my Daddy.

Somehow, that thought made everything better.

“I understand. I know it’s too soon.” He gave a small shrug. “I guess it feels as if…you’re letting go.” Kit lowered his head. “That probably sounds dumb.”

Gareth framed Kit’s face with his palms, encouraging him to look up. “Not at all. But I’m not letting go. This piece of leather doesn’t represent how I feel about you.” Gareth tapped his chest with two fingers. “That’s here.”

Kit sucked in a deep breath then nodded. “Okay. You can take it off.”

Gareth petted him again. “That’s my good boy.”

As Gareth untied the strip, Kit repeated Gareth’s reassurances in his head and made himself change his focus to the moment they were sharing. The same alluring scent he’d come to associate with Gareth, but with a tinge of sweat that added to Kit’s arousal. The way Gareth’s breath tickled the side of Kit’s neck. Gareth’s thick, calloused fingers scraping across Kit’s sensitive flesh.

How he ached for Gareth to touch him more intimately.

Once Gareth had removed the piece of leather, he started undoing the buttons to Kit’s shirt. Those same strong fingers moved deftly down his chest to his belly, then once Kit’s body was exposed, Gareth swept the garment off Kit’s shoulders with both hands.

Kit’s eyes drifted closed as Gareth gently helped him out of one arm, then the other. He reached for the top button of Kit’s pants and Kit gasped. His cock was hard and throbbing, leaking from how aroused he was.

Gareth would see.

“Checking in. Green?”

Kit licked his lips and opened his eyes. “Green,” he whispered.

Gareth held his gaze then leaned in, placing a soft kiss on Kit’s mouth, the action so brief, yet so delicious. Kit’s heart pounded to the point he thought it might burst.

His brother had kissed him. Not a deep, erotic kiss, but the line had truly been crossed. Things between them would never be the same.

After unbuckling Kit’s belt, Gareth popped the button of his slacks open before pulling on the zipper—an agonizingly slow process. Kit leaned back on his elbows to aid in the removal of the snug pants, lifting his ass, silent permission that everything was still okay. He closed his eyes again as Gareth curled his fingers around the waistband then gave them a tug.

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